You would think it would be difficult for the world’s largest software company to miss the big techonology waves as they play out over a period of time. But apparently it is easy to miss the waves. They definitely were late to the internet platofrm party (google owns the floor) and they may be late to the mobile platform party (apple owns the floor for now).
How does this happen? It has to with the DNA of company. Microsoft has the DNA of a desktop software company and seems to have a hard time adapting to fast changing technological shifts. When you are still making billions in desktop software it is natural for that DNA to dominate. Apple on the otherhand came back from the brink of extinction (thanks to the return of steve jobs), so they built a DNA that can not only adapt quickly to changing trends but also to set the trends.
Here is an interesting question: is iphone platform the next windows franchise? If it comes true, then that would be sweet irony for steve jobs.